Tony is very careful not to wake his parents as he walks downstairs and to the fireplace. He directs himself, as quietly as he can, to the bookshoppe.

Sam is pacing in front of the grate when you arrive.  His face breaks into a relieved, heartfelt smile when he sees you, and he opens his arms.

Tony blushes his hand down his chest out of habit and then smiles softly at you, stepping to you and hugging you, gently. "Hi..."

Sam wraps his arms about you, surprised at how comforted he feels by that simple act. "Thank you for coming to see me," he says in a soft voice.

Tony has one arm looped around your waist as the hand of the other smoothes down your back - like his mother would do to him if he were upset. "I... I just wanted to help. You know? It was... overwhelming."

Sam looks immediately worried. "I didn't mean to overwhelm you. I wasn't going to burden you with it." He steps back guiltily.  "Can I get you some tea?" he offers.

Tony frowns. "That's not what I meant... I just... It was instinct, you know? To.. make things better for you if I could."

Sam looks relieved and nods, pulling you back toward him gently, wanting your arms around him again.  "Like I wanted to be with you that night you talked to your parents," he whispers.

"Yeah... just like that." And he loops his arms around your waist again and leans against you. "I don't know how to help, though. So.."

"Merlin, Tony, just having your arms around me, and having you with me...," he sighs, reaching up to touch your hair.

Tony sighs and leans his head against your shoulder, smoothing his hand down your back again. "Well. I'm glad that I can help a little."

"More than a little," Sam assures you, stroking his fingers through your hair gently.  He exhales a sigh of relief.

Tony smiles against your shoulder at that and then leans back a little, his hand still stroking your back softly. "Should we..um. I mean. Would this be easier on the couch upstairs, or something?"

Sam grins. "Most definitely, but I hated to let you go that long," he admits. His hand drops reluctantly from your hair.  "Upstairs then?"

Tony chuckles at that and then nods, stepping away and turning toward the stairs - heading up ahead of you.

Sam walks up behind you, his eyes falling to your arse, and he feels a stab of guilt.  You came to comfort him and he's lusting after your body.  When you both reach the top of the stairs, his expression is neutral, and he hides his inappropriate response.  Taking your hand, he moves toward the sofa.

Tony comfortably winds his fingers around yours, used to that now and sinks down at the edge of the sofa before you, tugging at your arm almost tentatively to pull you down with him.

Sam drops beside you with a soft smile. "I can't tell you how much it means that you came to me, and that you wanted to," he sighs, traces of sadness apparent in his eyes.

Tony reaches tentatively and runs his fingers against your hair softly, biting his lip at the look in your eyes. "Do you want to, well, talk about it?"

"Not much I can say.  I miss her, and I hate seeing how sad Alex is too."  Sam leans his head against your fingers.  "You're a special person, Tony Goldstein.  For being so sweet."

Tony doesn't know what to say to any of that, and so he just slides his fingers more firmly thru your hair and leans his forehead against yours - his free hand moving to stroke down your arm.

Sam sighs, again amazed by how much your very presence comforts him.  "Cor, that feels wonderful."  He pulls you closer to him, wishing he could just hold you in his lap.

Tony smiles at that, sliding as close to you as he can and stroking thru your hair more securely. "I'm glad." His voice soft and calm.

Sam scoots back on the couch, pulling you with him.  "You're wonderful," he replies.

Tony lets you pull him, sliding back and against your side and half-laying against you in your arms. He smiles, the hand at your arm going to your waist. "This is nice..."

"Very," Sam agrees, cuddling you against him. "I feel better already."  He reaches up to stroke your hair.

Tony slides his hand up and down your side softly and sighs, content. "I'm glad. I...it hurt, me, when you felt bad..."

Sam's arms tighten around you. "When you say things like that, you have no idea," he exhales.  "I hurt for you the other night too."

Tony nods and nestles his head into your shoulder, silent again, his hand ghosting over your side just barely, hoping that it's comforting.

Sam finds it completely comforting, and the ache that settled in his heart most of day begins to subside. 

On impulse, Tony shifts to press his lips to your throat - whisper soft - as he continues to stroke your side.

Sam shivers lightly, and he makes a pleased noise in his chest.  "Very," he echoes.

Tony leans his head back and looks up at you, eyes still shy but more comfortable than he's ever looked before. He slides his hand to rest over your heart and stills it there. "Good." Voice still breathlessly soft.

Sam's eyes are intense and warm. "Oh, Tony," he gasps, putting his hand over yours and squeezing lightly. "If I told you that I truly care about you already, would that terrify you?"

Tony blinks but shakes his head. "No... I mean... I assumed really." Confusion crossing his face. "I mean. Maybe I assumed too much. But... I didn't think you'd want to be my.. boyfriend.. unless you did."

Sam's relief is evident. "You probably haven't assumed enough," he answers honestly.  He leans toward you slowly, eyes dropping to your mouth.

Tony lets his eyes drop closed, waiting for your kiss, and his fingers fidget over your heart.

 
Sam studies your face and feels warmed all over because of your hand on his heart.  Slowly and ever so tenderly, he presses his lips to yours.

Tony expels a breath softly against your lips and then presses his back against yours, his body shifting slightly so that the kiss is closer than any of those on your date. His fingers clench softly in your shirt over your heart.

Sam pulls you even tighter, but never rough, and he opens his mouth on yours, not attempting to deepen the kiss any further just yet.  His hands stroke your back.

Tony slides his tongue, still shyly, to touch against your bottom lip, then retreats it, his fingers massaging against your shirt now of their own accord.

Sam moans softly, making no attempt to hide his response.  His own tongue repeats your action exactly, and one of his hands moves to rest on your heart as well.

Tony shivers and tries not to press against your side - more than a bit embarrassed at his immediate response to you, but not wanting to break the kiss either. He slides his other hand to cup your cheek and opens his lips against yours.

Sam can't resist the invitation, and slides his tongue into your open mouth with a sigh.  He slowly explores your mouth, leaning his face against your hand.

Tony moans, surprising himself and blushing, but not breaking the kiss - his tongue sliding against yours slowly as you learn his mouth.

Sam's cock tightens at your moan, but he steadfastly keeps his pace slow.  He opens his own mouth to your exploration, and he maps out yours, as if to memorise it.

Tony moans again, but softer the time, the sound sighing into the kiss. His legs tangle with yours without conscious movement, Tony pressing against your side more tightly  - his own arousal evident, and he would blush bright red at that if he even noticed he was pressing against you.

Sam breaks the kiss. "Merlin, Tony...I....," he takes a deep breath. "Would you lie with me, here on the sofa, so I can hold you closer?"

Tony leans back, then sits up fully, and looks at you for a moment before he smiles softly and nods. "Of course."

"I'll be good," Sam promises, stretching out on his side, and opening his arms to you again.  He'd really prefer you lie atop him, but feels that would be too much too soon.

 
"I trust you, Sam. I've... I've told you that." And Tony settles into your arms, facing you, trying to keep at least a bit of distance between his arousal and your hip, and blushing at that.

Sam wants no distance whatsoever, but he hesitates to push. He holds you, looking at your face, memorising it to savour later.  "I adore your blush, but there's no need to be embarrassed with me."

"I..." Tony looks into your eyes for long moment, then nods and moves closer to you, pressing his body against yours fully and sliding one hand shyly into your hair - sighing happily as he does. He sighs again, nuzzling his head into your shoulder, his lips against your neck, and strokes his fingers thru your hair again. "Wow..."

"Hmmm?" Sam asks curiously, the sound more a hum.  He tilts his hand to kiss your cheek.

Tony shakes his head against your shoulder and just settles against you, pressing his lips to your throat softly before simply laying his head on your shoulder.

"I feel so much better," Sam says in a grateful voice.  "Thank you...for everything."  His hands slide up and down your back.

Tony smiles at that, shifting and turning his head so that he's able to look up and meet your eyes. "I'm really glad, Sam. I don't really... I don't know how I helped. But I've really glad I could. That you... that you let me try."

"Your just being here, baby," Sam's brown eyes are warm on yours, "that's all I needed."  He watches you a moment. "Can I kiss you again?"

Tony nods, but before you do he adds. "I like it.. when you call me that..."

Sam looks puzzled, but only a moment before it clicks. "Baby?" he asks softly, reaching to stroke a finger down your cheek.  "Its not because I think you are one."

Tony chuckles softly and nods. "I know it isn't. I.. it's nice. Just.. the way you say it." And he turns his face toward your touch, that soft smile back on his lips.

"I only call you that," Sam grins, sliding a hand to the back of your head and pulling you toward his mouth.

Tony nods again just slightly. "I know." And tightens his fingers in your hair as he leans to close the distance.

Sam's breath ghosts across your lips just before his lips crash into yours, his tongue immediately seeking entrance.

Tony moans softly, his lips opening to your tongue, and shifts closer, his eyes closing - focusing on the feeling of kissing you as his body is completely against yours.

Sam answers your moan with one of his own, and he presses you against him even more, if possible.  His mouth against explores you, but he's careful to keep it gentle.

Tony sighs into your mouth and slides his tongue against yours, his hand pulling you closer into the kiss more forcefully than your gentle touches are pulling him.

Sam moans again at that, a sound coming from deep in his chest.  Your assertiveness chipping away at his careful restraint.  He kisses you more hungrily.
  
Tony falls into the kiss, really - not sure how to respond, but sure that he's enjoying himself. "Oh...." The word breathed into the kiss as he leans closer against you.

Sam releases a bit of his pent up passion, deepening the kiss, his mouth more hungry on your than ever.  His hands move in your hair, and down your back.

Tony revels in Sam plundering his mouth for a few moments longer, moaning into it, and then pushes back slightly - his hand on Sam's heart again. He's panting, his eyes darkened and glazed. "Wow."

"Very wow," Sam pants back, his own eyes mirroring the heat in yours.  "I didn't mean to...let go like that," he says, almost as if to apologise.

"Gods why not?!" Tony pants, leaning his forehead head against yours and laughing softly.

"Because you aren't accustomed to it," Sam answers honestly. "Because I don't want to scare you."

Tony meets your eyes, his own still dark, but smiling. "You won't."

"You're so amazing, Tony," Sam says, very nearly awed.  His fingers cup your chin.

Tony doesn't respond, just smiles at you sighs happily. 

"Can I keep you, baby?" Sam teases softly, but he's actually serious, very determined to make this relationship last.

"Yeah." Tony doesn't recognise, or doesn't want to recognise, that you're teasing. And he mumbles the answer against your throat, resting his head on your shoulder.

Sam grips you tighter.  "Good," he whispers, burying his nose in your hair again, memorising your smell.

Tony smiles, curling against you and tightening his fingers in your hair softly. "I feel so.... " He sighs. "Just so much more alive right now...Than I can remember ever..." But he thinks it's silly, and buries his head against your shoulder, blushing instead.

"I know exactly what you mean," Sam says in a breathy voice.  "All of this...these feelings...are just so amazingly good."

Tony smiles. In the back of his mind  a small voice says that you've been here before... that it's not as special, not as good, for you. But it quiets and he sighs contentedly, leaning against you completely, one of his feet sliding to tangle with yours.

Sam smiles at your new contact, and he moves his knee so that his own foot slides along your leg.  He kisses your hair, hands gliding over your body lazily and languidly, feeling just as content as Tony.

Tony laughs softly as you caress him. "I'll fall asleep...if you keep that up..."
"I wouldn't mind," Sam admits.  "I feel so much better just having you here. I know I keep saying that, but you've made me feel so much better."

Tony yawns almost as if on cue, then blinks at you. "You.. you wouldn't mind? I mean... I would just.. sleep..." And he's quickly realising that almost everything he thought about "relationships" is being proven false.. that you would just sleep with him. Just sleep....if he wanted.

"Wouldn't mind holding you close all night, watching you sleep and getting to sleep with you? Hell no! I'd adore it," Sam answers sincerely.

"Well...I...I could. If we woke up early and I got home...." And he's blushing again, but his eyes are almost wet - smiling across at you.

Sam's breath catches.  "Really? You want to?"  He strokes your cheek, worried at the shine in your eyes.  "Are you okay?"

"Just...just happy. That you... that you would want me to." He blushes again and buries his head in your shoulder, smiling.

Sam smiles, but part of him worries why you seem so surprised. "Of course I want you too," he sighs.  "I can set a charm to wake you up in time."

Tony nods at that and snuggles closer to you, not looking up from your shoulder. "I'd really like to."

"Are you comfortable enough here or do you want to get in my bed?  Just sleep though, I promise."  Sam is getting drowsy himself, so whichever is fine with him if you're truly comfortable.

"Bed..." And Tony says it before you've even finished asking, then leans away, his eyes wide, and laughs softly at his own response.

Sam chuckles. "I am a bit long for this sofa," he agrees, sliding you up and sitting up himself.  He smiles softly, standing and offering you his hand.

Tony hesitates a moment, then takes your hand and stands, smiling, but suddenly too shy to say anything '- though he does twine his fingers with yours and squeeze softly.

Sam pushes open the door to his bedroom, the only light is the soft glow of a lamp on the night stand.  A large canopied bed takes up the entire side of the room and rows of bookshelves line the room.  A dark burgundy duvet covers the bed and Sam looks at you carefully.  "Hi," he says quietly, trying to think of a way to reassure you.

Tony toes off his shoes as he walks in, looking around. When you speak he turns back to you and smiles shyly, then sits at the edge of the bed and looks up at you. "Hi."

Sam smiles, relieved and slipping his own shoes.  "Do you want to borrow some pyjamas?" he offers. "The bathroom is through there," he indicates with the nod of his head.

"Yeah... that would be good.." And he stands again, waiting for them, idly wondering if this is at all normal and then deciding that even if it isn't, it's perfect.

Sam moves to the bureau, pulling out some soft, cotton pjs and handing them to you.  "I'll change after you," he smiles, handing them over.  He still can't believe he'll actually get to hold you all night, well, most of it.

Tony takes them, still blushing that he's actually here, and then walking to the bathroom. He returns a few minutes later, fully changed and his blush faded. "These are really nice..." As he runs his hand absently over the chest and stomach6 of the pyjamas.

"On you especially," Sam winks, and kisses your cheek as he moves past you into the bathroom.  Minutes later, he's joining you again.  "I don't snore," he promises with a grin.

And while he was gone Tony had crawled under the duvet, at once nervous and completely trusting you as well. He smiles when you come back, rolling onto his side to face you. "Neither do I... I think."

"I wouldnt' mind," Sam says easily, pulling the covers back to join you.  He pulls his wand out of his nightstand. "What time?" His eyes are locked on yours.

"Um.. seven?" And Tony settles in on his side, watching you.

Sam mutters a quick spell, placing his wand back on his nightstand. He turns to you and reaches to pull you into his arms, settling on his back with you half on top of him.  "This...you've made me so much better," he sighs.

Tony is caught off guard, but quickly relaxes against you, sliding one of his legs naturally between yours and laying his head on your shoulder. "I'm glad... you... I can't think of anywhere I'd rather be, right now."

"You're the only person I'd want with me right now too," he replies honestly.  "You make me so happy."

Tony blushes and leans his head into your shoulder, his hand sliding softly up and down your side for a few moments. "Sam...I'm... " He takes a breath and then sighs. "I know you must want... I just... thank you for, for taking this slow with me..."

"Tony, baby, don't you realise - I want a relationship with you, much more than a shag."  His hand glides over your back and rests on your hip.

"I know. I do realise that now and... " He smiles. "It's... it just makes me very happy." And he leans up to press a kiss to the underside of your jaw, whisper-soft.

"I like making you happy," he smiles softly, rubbing up and down your spine with a soothing stroke.   "You're special, Tony."

Tony smiles at that and relaxes against you, his slight frame draped over yours easily. "So are you, Sam. You... You don't know how happy I am.. that I could help, today."

"You did, baby. You really and truly did."  Sam's fingers move into your hair, stroking if off your face and threading it through your fingers.

Tony leans up and looks into your eyes, smiling and then leaning - closing the distance between your lips out of impulse and covering your mouth with his.

Sam's breath hitches at your unexpected kiss, and he opens his mouth to yours immediately.  "Tony," he breathes, your name muffled against your mouth.

In the dark, in the warmth and closeness of the bed and the tender moment, Tony is almost not shy about snaking his tongue out against your lips, then past them - tentative and slow and sighing into your mouth.

Sam's fingers twine into your hair, and he allows you to control the kiss completely.  His tongue does meet yours, but makes no move to press into your own.

Tony continues the kiss, sliding his tongue into your mouth - mimicking your explorations of his earlier, and then just sliding against your own, his fingers closing in the soft cotton of your shirt.

Sam can't help but moan, and he savours your sweet kiss and gentle exploration.  He eagerly welcomes it.  His hand rests over your heart, much like yours hand earlier.

Tony finally breaks the kiss, leaning back and looking into your eyes, panting softly again. He raises his hand and trails his fingertips down the side of your face, his eyes following them, seemingly enthralled by touching you.

Sam smiles, the corner of his eyes crinkling and his eyes are soft on yours.  "You do know this is almost too good to be true," he murmurs, leaving into your touch. "Only thing is, it  is true."

Tony chuckles, then nods slightly and nuzzles into your neck again, his hand sliding past your ear and into your hair to tangle there gently. "Yes, it is..." Pressing another quick impromptu kiss to your jaw before settling against you.

"I don't think I've met a kinder, sweeter soul than you," Sam voices his thoughts against your hair. "I could really get used to sleeping with you in my arms as well."

Tony stifles a small yawn and smiles against your shoulder, "That.. that would be nice." His own fingers worrying in your hair gently.

"Even though I meant every night?" he teases. "You comfort me, among other things. Now sleep, baby."  He strokes your back.

Tony smiles into your neck. Every nightHe knows you're teasing but it still sounds really just...perfect. "Goodnight." he says against your throat, and closes his eyes - straining to hear the sounds of your heart beat as he falls to sleep.

Sam slides his hand from your back to your hair, all but petting you until he's sure you're asleep.  He sighs, content, and lies awake a long time, soothed by your presence.  He finally drifts off himself a long while later.